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Title: Predictors of severe gastrointestinal toxicity after external beam radiotherapy and interstitial brachytherapy for advanced or recurrent gynecologic malignancies

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2]
  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Hanover, NH (United States)
  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (United States)

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective review of patients with gynecologic malignancies treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and interstitial brachytherapy was to determine the rate of Grade {>=}2 rectovaginal fistula and Grade {>=}4 small bowel obstruction as defined by the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. Methods and Materials: Thirty-six patients with primary and recurrent gynecologic cancers were treated with EBRT and interstitial brachytherapy. Median doses to tumor, bladder, and rectum were 75 Gy, 61 Gy, and 61 Gy, respectively. A univariate analysis was performed to identify variables that correlated with toxicity. Results: At median follow-up of 19 months, the 3-year risk of small bowel obstruction was 6%. Those patients with prior abdomino-pelvic surgery who received EBRT with antero-posterior fields had higher rates of obstruction than patients without prior abdomino-pelvic surgery or those who received EBRT with four fields (50% vs. 0%, p < 0.0001). The 3-year risk of rectovaginal fistula was 18% and was significantly higher in patients who received >76 Gy to the rectum compared with those who received {<=}76 Gy (100% vs. 7%, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Patients treated with EBRT and interstitial brachytherapy after abdomino-pelvic surgery should receive EBRT with four fields and the cumulative rectal dose should be {<=}76 Gy.

OSTI ID:
20793498
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 65, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2005.12.008; PII: S0360-3016(05)03070-1; Copyright (c) 2006 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English